Binding for flags



R; KE

BINDING POR L'so.

FLAGS,&G.

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 18, 1890.

. Ffczj.

UNITEDvv STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT KELSO, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

BINDING FOR FLAGS, 800,.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 421,724, dated February 18, 1890.-

Application filed May 6, 1889.. Serial No. 809,774. (No specimens.)

l To all whom it may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT KELso, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Bindings for Flags, Banners, clac., of which the following is a specification.

-The object of my invention is to prevent flags, banners, sails, and like articles from raveling or shredding When subjected to the action of the Wind; and this object I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Eigure l is a vieW of a flag finished in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the flag With my improved binding; and Fig. 3 is an en.l

lbinding in a different form.

It is Well known that flags merely hemmed on the edge soon become frayed out and torn by the action of the wind, and in a short time become unsightly. It has been customary to bind the edges of theflag with heavy canvas or like material to prevent this fraying but binding of this character is so stiff that it prevents the graceful Wavingof theflag, thus detracting considerably from the beauty of the flag and condemning it as a marketable article. Ropes and cords have also been used as bindings; but these are open to the same objection, and, furthermore, are liable when Wet, to shrink and distort the flag. I overcome the difficulty by binding to the outer end of the flag A and to the top and bottom of the same also, if desired, a light chain B, having a series of links a b, the links a being secured to the flag by stitches or otherl suitable fastening, so that the links b are free, as shown in Fig. 2. The links of the chain can be made of metal, or ofvanimal or vegetable fiber, as circumstances suggest, and can be made very light -and strong; and I -have found by experiment that a light metallic chain can be used for this purpose Without detracting from the graceful Waving of the iiag, as such a chain possesses perfect flexibility and allows the flag to be folded or crumpled as freely as though it were unbound.

My invention is especially adapted to flags in constant service-as, for instance, those used on ship-board or at army or naval stations, Where the iiag is kept flying in all kinds of Weather.

It will be understood that my invention is applicable to banners, pennants, and sails, as Well as to flags, and in the case of a sail it is decidedly preferable to the ropes now used, as it will not shrink When Wet and draw or pucker the sail.

In some instances Where flags are subjected to severe usage, I not only bind the iiag with chain, but also strengthen the flag at one or more points by transverse chains D, extending, preferably, from top to bottom of the flag,

4thereby preventing the fiag from lscreeding or splitting.

The chain in some instances, instead of being attac-hed to the extreme end of the flag, as in Fig. 2, may be bound in the Hag, as in Fig. 3, in which instance I preferA to incase the chain in a piece of fabric A', and then hem the edge of the flag, as shown in said figure, so that the chain Will not be exposed. The chain 1nay,\hoWever,be inserted inthe hem Without the strip A; but I prefer, espe' cially in large fia-gs, to use this eXtra strip.

I claim as my inventionl. A Hag or sail having one or more of its ROBERT KELSO.

Witn esses HENRY HoWsoN, HARRY SMITH. 

